Hardshell TC with low center of gravity?

Check out Alaskan campers for a hard shell pop-up.

I should add that I have a Dodge RAM diesel 3500 QC with short box.

The weight isn't the issue, but the center of gravity and height is. The pop up is my first TC so I don't have anything to compare it to. It's great, but inconvenient for getting in and out quickly.

I'm afraid of trading it in for a hard shell if the gas mileage and handling will be a lot worse. So any advice you guys can give is much appreciated.

Thx,
R

woodhog wrote:

Im buying a fl 70 freightliner

Are you going to put the camper in those pictures on the FL70???

Lol, Its a fl70 with daycab and flatbed. So Im not sure yet. I know I can, Because I know how to cut and weld , So I can make anything work. I just don't want it to look retarded. I cant pass up the deal on this truck. Its a cummins powered 2000 model MDT with only 48,000 miles and right now they are cheap in cali, Because of the new emissions laws. I can buy this truck from a friend for under 5 grand. So hey why not? Im looking at a 20+ feet of flat bed. I can raise the front and mount it with the cab over just like you would on a pickup, And it already has storage boxes down both sides of bed. Id have enough room left for scooters, Bikes, 4 wheeler, and a tiny car all on back. And still pull any trailer I wanted. What I want is a nice Kenworth with a big sleeper that leads in to a TC, And just run it Bobtail. After my last adventure mentioned above I wanted to go bigger and Diesel so I went and got my class A cdl combination License, So that opens a lot of doors. What I need is ideas and advise. Im new to all this guys. This apache camper is my first camper to ever own. Ill get a pic of my truck Im buying and start a new thread.

Alaskan

Northern Lite non basement model is a good choice.

Im buying a fl 70 freightliner

Are you going to put the camper in those pictures on the FL70???

Any of the low frills, entry level, non-basement model TC should work. The Lance Lite series is good.

I use mine off-road and have never felt uncomfortable with taking it on rough roads. Only thing in the entire TC with any weight up high is the A/C.

This was my first trip, And when I look at the way I had the camper tied down it makes me nervous now Lol, But I traveled from Oklahoma all through New MEX/ All around the Grand Canyon, Arizona, Through Bakersfield, Cambria Cali, Down the pacific coast through Cayucos, Morrow bay, San Louis Obispo, Montana De Oro state park , and all through some treacherous mountains. Never had a problem, Never had to adjust straps. Only problem I had was truck was getting blown all over the road by wind and other larger trucks. I replaced the small red strap once I got the camper home after buying it. What I did is go to Atwoods and buy 4 of the thick rachet straps. Looked like a hick I know but Oh well, It worked like a champ. Im designing a new anchoring system now to supplement the stake pocket tie downs I recently purchased.

raztec wrote:
I've currently got a pop-up Palamino Bronco, but want to switch over to a hard shell for convenience.

Can anyone tell me which manufacturers make a hard shell Truck Camper with a low center of gravity? I'd like something that handles nice on highways if there's a cross wind and the occasional off road.

Thx a bunch for any comments.
Raz

I bought a 2006 apache hard shell. It does great. Its light enough that I hauled it with a f150 once for over 5000 miles roundtrip. I got in a fierce wind storm somewhere east of Tehachapi that scared the dickens out of me. But again I was in a f150. I came straight home and bought a 3/4 ton 12 valve dodge diesel, And now Im buying a fl 70 freightliner , If I can have a big rugged truck like a semi and keep my same mileage then hey! Why not. You can buy a used freightliner for a fraction of the price of a dually and haul 5 times the weight and it will out last a new dually pick up, and get the same mileage. Never again will I use to small a truck. Ill post some picks.

http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r662/Will_Willard/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/2013-05-10_11-18-55_529_zpsdc34a149.jpg

http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r662/Will_Willard/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/2013-05-10_11-18-27_931_zps1b2bb407.jpg